The Luzzu that Stares Out at Sea

As the colourful Luzzu stares out at the Mediterrean sea, knowing that his owner will soon appear, the sea gently rocks him from side to side attempting to lull him to sleep. But his eyes do not close. They continue to gaze fixedly out at sea, waiting apprehensively for the moustached man to show up in the early hours of the morning. For he knows that he must not sleep; he has a duty to protect his owner from evil at sea.
At 5.00 am, the droopy-eyed fisherman arrives and shines his torch on the boat. He then slowly lures his two bags in the Luzzu. One’s made of cloth and carries a bottle of water, a coffee-filled metal flask and a plastic box containing a fresh Ftira which Rita, his dedicated wife, makes him on a daily basis. The second bag holds the fishing bait, a can of worms and some wet rolled up bread, he intends on using for the day.

As he steps in the Luzzu, the fishing boat rocks more aggressively almost making Joe lose his balance. But the old man is quick on his feet and manages to regain it. He then proceeds to take his usual seat in the middle of the boat, grabs his oars and places them on either side of his old wooden companion.Joe slowly begins to row and within a few minutes he’s out at sea. It’s now dawn and the sun is slowly rising, but the air is still cold. The old man stands up and drops his anchor into the deep blue sea, then his net. Whilst he waits, he grabs his rod with one hand, unravels the fishing line and takes a worm out of a can. As he grabs it, the worm wiggles and the fisherman mercilessly sticks the shiny metal hook that’s connected to his fishing line into its flesh.

Once he’s done, the old fisherman swings the line into the sea and contently soaks up the sun waiting in silence and for the fish to bite. And when one finally does, he pulls, he tugs until it succumbs to weakness and gives up.

One by one as the hours pass, the fish are pulled into the boat. Some are small, some large, but what truly matters to the fisherman most is that his effort for the day has been met with a prize; something to take home to his wife.

As the hour hand on Joe’s watch strikes 11 o’clock, he rows to shore. Ties up his boat and leaves his faithful friend behind to stare out at the sea once again.